as in spiral
turning around an axis like the thread of a screw
Sirius, the brightest star in the heavens, travels a helical path through space
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Recent Examples of helical
Closer to the galaxy's core, the jet takes on a helical form.
—
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Power is sent through a 6-speed short-throw manual transmission to the front wheels through a helical limited-slip differential.
—Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Bless Volkswagen for keeping the helical gears turning, both literally and figuratively.
—ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025
The magnetic field might be shaped like a spiral (called helical) or doughnut shaped (called toroidal).
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for helical
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Power is sent through a 6-speed short-throw manual transmission to the front wheels through a helical limited-slip differential.
—Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Bless Volkswagen for keeping the helical gears turning, both literally and figuratively.
—ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025
The magnetic field might be shaped like a spiral (called helical) or doughnut shaped (called toroidal).
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for helical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helical
Adjective
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The war in Iran is driving global inflation concerns as energy costs spiral.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
12 Mar. 2026
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Calabrese and Meyer, who both trained as mechanical engineers, introduced a spiral shape to their tampon that redirects the fluid to the absorbent core.—
Luisa Beltran,
Sportico.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Hosch, 67, went for a hike on part of the Appalachian Trail, a winding path that extends almost 2,200 miles through 14 states.—
Elissa Jorgensen,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Mar. 2026
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And through the dark, winding path of grief came a quaint, bright pink house nestled between a local home goods store and a vintage clothing shop on Parkville’s historic Main Street — creating a stark contrast from the deep sorrow Kincaid and her husband, Michael, felt inside.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Helical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helical. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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